Soham (Sanskrit)

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Soham or Sohum (सो ऽहम् so'ham^[1]) is a Hindu mantra, meaning "I am" in Sanskrit.^[2]^[3]

In Vedic philosophy it means identifying Brahman with the universe or ultimate Brahman.^[2]

The mantra is also inverted from so 'ham (the sandhi of saḥ + aham) to ham + sa. The combination of so 'haṃ haṃsaḥ has also been interpreted as "I am Swan", where the swan symbolizes the Atman.^[4]

^ In English language literature also printed as So’ham, So Ham, So-aham, Sohum, So Hum, Saham, Sa'ham, Sau-ha, Sah-karena/Sahkara = the sound of Sa
^ ^a ^b Olivelle 1992, pp. 80–81, 210 with footnotes.
^ Mariasusai Dhavamony (1999), Hindu Spirituality, GB Press, ISBN 978-8876528187, page 129
^ Alper, Harvey P. (1991). Understanding Mantras. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 104. ISBN 978-81-208-0746-4.

[1] In English language literature also printed as So’ham, So Ham, So-aham, Sohum, So Hum, Saham, Sa'ham, Sau-ha, Sah-karena/Sahkara = the sound of Sa

[FOOTNOTEOlivelle199280–81,_210_with_footnotes-2] Olivelle 1992, pp. 80–81, 210 with footnotes.

[dhavamonyhs129-3] Mariasusai Dhavamony (1999), Hindu Spirituality, GB Press, ISBN 978-8876528187, page 129

[4] Alper, Harvey P. (1991). Understanding Mantras. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 104. ISBN 978-81-208-0746-4.

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